Dmitry Bivol ordered to defend WBO light‑heavyweight title against Callum Smith

The World Boxing Organization has issued a mandatory defense order requiring unified light‑heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol to fight interim champion Callum Smith. Both parties have 20 days to reach a deal, after which a purse‑bid will be scheduled if negotiations fail.

Bivol, who retained his WBA, IBF, WBC, WBO, IBO and The Ring titles with a unanimous decision over Michael Eifert in May, recently underwent elbow surgery but expects a quick recovery. Smith, the 36‑year‑old former super‑middleweight champion who captured the WBO interim title earlier this year, has not fought since February 2025. The matchup would be Bivol’s first defense of the WBO belt since the May victory and offers Smith his first chance at a full world title at 175 lb.